CEBU City Mayor Michael Rama introduced to the public on Monday, Dec. 6, 2021 his appointees to various key posts at City Hall, including a couple holding two departments.

After Suzanne Ardosa, an engineer, was appointed as the new city administrator, Rama also appointed her engineer-husband Rolando Ardosa as the new head of the Department of General Services (DGS).

Rolando replaced Labella appointee June Maratas, a lawyer, as head of the DGS.

Aside from Rolando, Rama also introduced Cerwin Eviota, a public relations expert, as the city’s new public information officer. Eviota replaced Labella appointee and former journalist Razel Cuizon as head of the city’s public information office.

The other coterminous officials appointed by Rama include lawyers Dominic Diño (secretary to the mayor), Mat Eric Medalle (chief of staff), Eugene Orbita (city legal officer), and Homer Cabaral (resident ombudsman).

Dax Arcilla, Rama’s former chief of staff when he was still the vice mayor, now heads the Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor.

Rama named Ian Hassamal barangay affairs head; Neil Odchigue, protocol office head; Regina Lingaolingao, City Hospitalization Assistance and Medicines Program head; and Sonia Empinado, Cebu City Medical Center assistant head for administration.

The announcement of the new City Hall officials happened after Rama and Vice Mayor Donaldo “Dondon” Hontiveros took their oath of office for the second time since the death of mayor Edgardo Labella last Nov. 19.

This time the event was held in public outside.

Rama was sworn into office by Cebu City Regional Trial Court Judge Macaundas Hadjirasul, while Vice Mayor Donaldo Hontiveros was sworn into office afterwards by Rama.

Rama and Hontiveros first took their oath before Court of Appeals Cebu Associate Justice Gabriel Ingles on Nov. 20 in a private ceremony, following Labella’s death.

The public induction was attended by former Vice President Jejomar Binay, who is running for senator in the 2022 polls, and business leaders, including shipping magnate Chester Cokaliong, Cebu Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce president Rodrigo Go, and Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Felix Taguiam.

Both Rama and Hontiveros promised to work hard for seven months. Rama is running for mayor, while Hontiveros is running for a south district seat in the City Council.